Reactivation of Tuberculosis in the Setting of COVID-19 Infection
Muhammad Atif Masood Noori, Islam Younes, Asnia Latif, Hardik Fichadiya, Sherif Elkattawy, Harshwardhan Khandait, Onyeka Nawachukwu, Vipin Kumar Garg
Cureus · 2022-03
Abstract
(MTB). Both previous and newly developed tuberculosis (TB) infection are risk factors for COVID-19 and are associated with poor outcomes. T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in defense against MTB and with evidence suggesting depletion of T lymphocytes in COVID-19, it can be postulated that COVID-19 can increase the risk of reactivation of latent TB. Given that a large population around the globe is infected with latent tuberculosis, it is interesting to study and note cases where the virus leads to the reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection. Herein, we present a 76-year-old Brazilian male recently treated for COVID-19 pneumonia, presenting with new-onset cough and weakness diagnosed with latent MTB reactivation.
MeSH terms
- Medicine
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Tuberculosis
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
- 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak
- Virology
- Betacoronavirus
- Coronavirus Infections
- Intensive care medicine